Coachella was originally known for being the first festival to rebel against high ticket prices and to provide a good quality live music experience without corporate sponsorship. The main goal of Coachella was to come together and unite through music, but instead it has sparked controversy among the internet.
Coachella is not only trending for their prices but for being labeled as the “Influencer Olympics” or “Influencer Met Gala” for inviting influencers and giving them business opportunities.
The festival has left many viewers on the internet not liking how Coachella is now all about high-fashion, beauty, content, pay and overall shifting their main focus to influencers. For what the festival originally stood for it has been shown that many people are nowhere near satisfied with Coachella.
The line up of Coachella 2026 included headliners: Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G and other major acts, including The Strokes, KATSEYE, Addison Rae, BIGBANG, Laufey and a few others.
With a great line up of musicians it is hard to tell if Coachella is really about music or influencers.
“I completely agree with the statements of the internet calling it the ‘Influencer Met Gala.’ It seems like they [Coachella] are focusing more on the business side, inviting influencers, promoting and paying them than the actual festival,” Angel G. Ramirez said. “Coachella is not what it was originally for and, because of that, I feel like influencers think it’s for them.”
“I definitely think that the focus on influencers has definitely gone up a lot more over the past few years; most of the activities are for influencers now,” Lila Wanty said. “I think that getting paid to go to festivals really breaks what festivals are for, which is for people to get together and enjoy something together.”
“Getting paid to go there and hire stylists just to make content feels like it’s against what a music festival stands for. It’s against the point of a music festival,” Wanty said. “It just feels like more separation between the classes of influencers and regular people. I feel like they’re still very focused on the music but it’s definitely a draw. They’ve definitely put more focus on influencers.”
“The influencers take away from the musicians that are there, especially upcoming musicians that need exposure and need people to listen to their art,” Clarrisa Nash said. “Focusing on influencers and what they wear and buy isn’t the point of the festival. I think they [Coachella] care more about money than the actual musicians.”
“I think if they are wanting to hire influencers they should highlight an artist and do something like ‘A day in the life of’ since they are the ones who need exposure,” Nash said. “Their content and festival is more about what they are wearing and not who they are going to see on stage. I know brands are there to promote but there is a way to promote brands and musicians at the same time.”
Coachella is losing the main purpose of what it was made for. Music festivals are meant to highlight musicians in every way, including using social media, promotions and through influencers. Instead, festival organizers are using influencers to promote brands and themselves.
